Binding for microfiches and the like

ABSTRACT

A binding for microfiches consisting of an elongated transparent strip defining adjacent regular zones extending across the full width of the strip, each of said zones has an equal length along the axis of the strip and each second zone displays a microfiche which may be located inside a pocket. A line of reduced bending resistance divides each adjacent zone to permit the folding of a transparent zone over an adjacent zone displaying a microfiche. The strip is adapted to fold into an accordion type to constitute a binding for the microfiches.

United States Patent [191 Mercure BINDING FOR MICROFICHES AND THE LIKE[76] Inventor: Gerard Mercure, 38 Duchesne St.,

Apt. 505, Rimouski, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: July 26, 1972 211 App].No.: 275,344

[ 1 Apr. 23, 1974 1,697,350 1/1929 Eubank 40/102 UX 2,377,968 6/1945Richman 40/102 3,555,713 1/1971 Leinbach 40/104.19

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 749,839 l/l967 Canada 122,366 12/1927Switzerland ..40/l04.l9

Primary Examiner-Wm. H. Grieb [5 7 1 ABSTRACT A binding for microfichesconsisting of an elongated transparent strip defining adjacent regularzones extending across the full width of the strip, each of said zoneshas an equal length along the axis of the strip and each second zonedisplays a microfiche which may be located inside a pocket. A line ofreduced bending resistance divides each adjacent zone to permit thefolding of a transparent zone over an adjacent zone displaying amicrofiche. The strip is adapted to fold into an accordion type toconstitute a binding for the microfiches.

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BINDING FOR MICROFICHES AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a binding formicrofiches, transparent slides or the like. The binding is essentiallyconstituted by an elongated strip. Microfiches and transparent zones arealternately displayed across the strip and have the same dimensions. Thestrip can be folded along a line between each microfiche and transparentzone.

This type of binding facilitates the classification and the projectionof the microfiches. A temporary or permanent classification of themicrofiches is obtained when the strip is folded in accordion fashion,the binding being closely related to a book. The projection from thisbinding permits the elimination of a cumbersome cover and enables thesuperposition of two or more images as may be desired. The presentbinding also lends itself easily as a storage medium for protecting themicrofiches while being readily available for reference.

The present binding also permits the computerizing of each microfiche sothat it can be selected at will.

An other object of the present binding is to permit a one-to-onerelationship between a document and a classification unit, that is, onebook, one binding.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

According to the present state of the art, a microfiche may be lost ormisfiled but it has advantages over the microfilm such as its facilityfor manipulation and relocating. I

Up to now, the microfiches were located in an envelope or in a pocketprovided at the end of a book.

Canadian Pat. No. 749,839 issued on Jan. 3, 1967 to 1.8. Wright, offersan alternative solution which consists of a coil spring or a ring binderused to connect a cover with a transparency.

Another method used at present consists of a transparent envelope whichmay result as a jacketed microfiche.

However, the known method of binding microfiches results in variousproblems:

1. The insertion of the microfiche between two plates of a projectorwhose opening is possible only from one side, the said opening beingdetermined by the manufacturer of the projector. 2. The binding must, inno way, interfere with the movement of the plates of the projectoraccording to the north-south or east-west axes. 3. The relative positionof the light source and the reading screen for a film document seen bytransparency, defines the emulsion side of the film the right side upand the upside down at the views and the presence of only onemicro-image. 4. On certain projectors, it is possible to rotate theimage by 90. The binding may present a restriction if the opening of theprojector is reduced.

Some of the bindings which are known on the market and which consist ofa series of continuous pockets are intended for receiving a document ineach of the said adjacent pockets. Such binding cannot be usedadequately for viewing and storing microfiches.

The microfiches which are usually placed in an envelope or in a folderare generally classified according to the three following methods:

a. by an optical or mechanical coding and are generally located by asorter or picker,

b. by an alpha-numerical or numerical classification which groups bysets a plurality of microfiches according to a single subject matter,

c. by a visual locating method, which consists of a diagonal line whichpermits to identify a microfiche which has been misplaced. However amicrofiche placed with its emulsion on the wrong side may not be easilynoticed. Also, the microfiche may be altogether misplaced with anotherset of microfiches.

It is another object of the present invention to overcome or atleast-reduce these disadvantages so as to overcome definite lacks in thefield of storing, classifying and viewing microfiches or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a binding formicrofiches or the like which consists of a elongated transparent strip,the said strip defining adjacent rectangular zones extending across thesubstantial full width of the strip. Each of these zones has an equallength along the axis of the strip and each second zone displays amicrofiche. Each adjacent zone is separated by a line of reduced bendingresistance so as to permit the folding of a transparent zone over anadjacent zone displaying a microfiche. The strip may also be folded intoaccordion folds.

One embodiment consists of having each second zone made of a pocketprovided by two superposed transparent sheets in which the microfiche isintroduced.

This arrangement enables to keep a plurality of microfiches together,and also, to fold a microfiche zone over an adjacent transparent zone sothat they may be viewed by a projector which has plates hinged along aside axis.

Furthermore, this binding for microfiche enables to retain anhomogeneous set of microfiches which may be located at the end of abook. It may also constitute the full subject matter of a book and belocated between covers to which the strip is attached. This latterarrangement is important because, in the future, libraries may becomemore a distribution center for literature than a lending center.Consequently, it is important that microfiches be bound adequately so asto be easily classified and viewed in order to duplicate the existingbooks.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a stripconstituting one embodiment of the binding according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the strip as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an embodimentof a strip according to theinvention, illustrating the removal of a microfiche from a pocket,

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a strip illustrating a lateral removal ofthe microfiche from a pocket.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate various connecting means between two adjacentportions of the strip constituting a binding for microfiches,

FIG. 10 is a side view of a binding according to the invention having aportion thereof under observation through a projector partiallyillustrated,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a partly folded binding according tothe invention.

FIG. 12 is a binding as illustrated in FIG. 11, and mounted inside thecover of a book,

FIG. 13 is an alternative embodiment of the invention showing anunfolded binding adapted to form a book,

FIG. 14 is a side view of a binding of microfiches in a partly foldedform, one portion of which is under observation in a projector partiallyshown.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a binding under observation in projector,wherein both extremities of the binding are connected together so as tobe folded in a book form.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show two embodiments ofa binding provided withidentification references for locating each microfiche.

FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the strip shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the inventionconsists of an elongated strip of transparent material 10 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, which is essentially made of a photographic film. Eachstrip is made of adjacent rectangular zones 12 and 14 identified in theFigures as 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b. These zones extend the full width of thestrip 10 and have the same length along the longitudinal axis of thestrip. Between each adjacent zone, the thickness of the strip is reducedto form a line 16 of reduced bending resistance so as toenable a zone 12to fold over a zone 14.

The zones 12 are constituted by a microfiche displaying a plurality ofsmall images which may be seen by transparency and which, as usual,needs to be enlarged for normal viewing. All the zones 14a aretransparent so that when a zone 12 is folded over a zone 14, a projectoror an enlarger may focus on the microfiche.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show two other embodiments of a binding wherein the strip10 is provided with pockets 18 and 20 in which a microfiche 22 isintroduced. In FIG. 3, the microfiche 22 is introduced into the pocketthrough an opening along the edge of the strip 10 while in FIG. 4, themicrofiche 22 is introduced through an opening made along an edge of thepocket 20 transversely of the strip 10. These two distinct embodimentsare chosen according to the manner in which the binding for microfichesare expected to be manipulated so that the microfiches will not fall outof its pocket.

The line of reduced bending resistance between each zone may takevarious forms. a few of which are illustrated in FIGS. 9. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5, resorts to thinning of the film per se which maybe obtained by pressure, heat, solvent, or various combinations thereof.FIG. 6 illustrates two parts of the strip 10 connected by adhesive tapes24 having a greater flexibility than the one of the strip 10. Where thethickness of the strip must remain constant up to the edge of each zone,the margin of these zones is reduced in thickness so that thesuperposition of the adhesive tapes over the strip will not exceed thethickness of the strip per see 10.

TI-Ie strips of FIGS. 7 and 8 each consists of a thin sheet of plastic28 and a thicker one 26. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, thethin sheet of plastic 28 is heat sealed over the line of reduced bendingresistance 16 so as to form two adjacent pockets 18, one of which beingadapted to receive a microfiche. In FIG. 8,

the thin sheet of plastic 28 is heat sealed over the line of reducebending resistance 16 while a pocket 18 remains between thesetransparent zones.

FIG. 9 illustrates a splicing arrangement. This type of splicing 30-between two adjacent parts 70 and 72 of a strip may be used forconnecting two ends of the strip as will be indicated later.

As indicated in the summary of the invention, a purpose of the inventionis to obtain a binding that combines improved classification andprojection facilities for the microfiches. One type of projector orviewer is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 10, 14 and 15 and consistsof a source of light 40 and a pair of plates 42 I and 44 mounted to bepivoted about an axle 46. In FIG. 10, the plates are angularly spacedand between which is inserted a pair of zones 48 and of a binding 52folded over each other. An optical system 52 is located on the side ofthe plates 42 and 44 opposite that of the light source 40 to magnify theimage of the microfiche for projection or viewing. In FIG. 10, amicrofiche zone 48 is folded over a transparent zone 50 of the strip 52.The folding and the overlapping of two zones is required for most of theknown projectors or viewers because the latter are, in general, providedwith plates 44 and 42 which are hinged about an axle 46, the said axlepreventing the free passage of the strip directly between the two plates42 and 44.

This arrangement is preferred by manufacturers of projectors and viewersbecause it provides a better way of positioning the microfiches betweenthe holding plates 42 and 44. When the microfiche is appropriatelylocated, the upper plate 44 is pivoted about the axle 46 so as to clampthe two superposed zones 48 and 50 of the binding 52.

It will thus be gathered that, with such an arrangement any microficheslocated in the binding 10 may be folded over an adjacent transparentzone and inserted between the two holding plates 42 and 44 in the mannerof the zones 48 and 50.

FIG. 11 illustrates a binding according to the invention folded like anaccordion manner which is the manner in which it is filed in appropriatedrawers, the adjacent zones being in practice, in contact with eachother. i

FIG. 12 illustrates a similar binding 52 mounted inside a cover 54 of abook 56, one end of the binding being inserted into an open envelope 58secured on the inside of the cover 54.

FIG. 13 illustrates another binding 60 constituted by adjacenttransparent zones and microfiche zones, each end edge of the bindingbeing connected to the outer edges 62'and 64 of the covers 66 of afolder. When all the zones of the binding 60 are folded over each other,the two covers 66 of the folder may also be folded over each other inthe manner illustrated in FIG. 14.1n addition, FIG. 14 illustrates themanner in which the microfiches inside the covers 66 may be pulled outin part for viewing through a viewer or a projector of the typeillustrated in FIG. 10.

Instead of using folder covers 66, as illustrated. in FIG. 15, it ispossible to extend the binding 68 per se at both ends with twoadditional zones 70 and 72, these zones having an overlapping edge 74.The width of the edges 74 corresponds to the thickness of all the zonesof the binding 68. When all these adjacent transparent and microfichezones are folded for filing, they are stacked up between the additionalzones and 72 substantially in a manner illustrated in FIG. 14. Theconnecting edges 74 may be spliced as illustrated in FIG. 9, that is,with both edges being provided with a corresponding stepwise recess sothat the thickness of the two parts 70 and 72 may be maintainedthroughout the connecting edges 74.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate bindings for microfiches which are providedwith locating references. In FIG. 16, the transparent zone 80 isprovided with a grid having a series of indications which, when foldedover the microfiches 82 will identify each image. As it may be seen fromFIGS. 16, the markings on the transparent zone 80, are printed in areverse manner so as to be seen correctly when folded over themirofiches.

Considering that the strip has, at least, a double thickness, when seenthrough a projector, the focusing will have to be modified from thereading of the grid to the reading of the microfiche. It is possible toovercome this disadvantage if the markings on the transparent zoneappear on the side which comes in contact with the side of themicrofiche which carries the emulsion, i.e. on the inner side 72 asshown in FIG. 15.

When the binding is used with certain types of viewers or projectors,the marking is preferably clearly seen with the naked eye and may belocated along the margin of the microfiche and the transparent zone. Theindications A, B, C etc. and the consecutive numbers l, 2, 3 etc. arelocated in the margin. The dotted line 86 indicates the space whichexists between the guiding mark which guides the eye and the center ofthe objective which is the line with the image under observation. It isto be noted that the figures identified by 88 and 90 are located alongthe margin of the zone so as not to obstruct the readng of the followingmicrofiche.

Either of the transparent zones 92 and 94 may be folded over themicrofiche Zone 96.

The use of grids or markings on the binding per se provides thefollowing advantages:

1. The elimination of a slide and an outer grid which is used with theusual film carrying envelope.

2. The projection on the viewing screen of the coordinates of a samescale as the text of these projected images without having thiscoordinate directly on the microfiche.

3. In the case where a book binding is used with a portable projectorwithout a microfiche carrier, the marking code which is visible with thenaked eye may be located in the margins.

4. It is possible to obtain a margin all around the microfiche so as tofacilitate the manipulation thereof and the inscription of letters orfigures of the grid.

5. The registration or correspondence between the image seen and thecoordinates is insured.

FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the strip shown in FIG. 3wherein the zone receiving the microfiche is subdivided in a fewchannels 32 which are parallel to the line 34 of reduced bendingresistance. Each channel is slightly shorter than the width of the stripand provides a margin 40 for the insertion of the bands of microfiches.This arrangement may be more suitable for certain type ofclassification.

Although the previous disclosure refers to plastic sheets which are heatsealed, it is to be understood that they may also be sealed by otherknown methods such as impulse sealers, ultrasonic sealers,radiofrequency sealers, etc. It is further to be understood that in abinding arrangement such as illustrated in FIG. 13, the first zone whichis connected to the edge 64 of the cover 66 may be constituted by anopaque sheet carrying data or identifications concerning the enclosedmicrofiches. These identifications are visible with the naked eye.

The strip 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be constituted of a stripof photographic film. It may also consist of a transparent strip ofplastic having adhesive patches 17 (see FIG. 5) on which is fixed amicrofiche.

I claim: 1. A binding for microfiches or the like for use in a viewingmachine having a pair of transparent plates, a light source on one sideof said plates and an optical system on the other side for enlarging andprojecting said microfiches, said plates being hinged to one anotheralong adjacent edges whereby to be angularly moved apart for theinsertion of microfiches of said binding" and then folded one over theother with said microfiches between said plates, said bindingcomprising:

an elongated strip of transparent material divided longitudinally into asuccession of rectangular panels of even thickness and of equal lengthand width, each panel extending fully across said strip;

alternate ones of said panels of said strip displaying at least onemicrofiche and the others being devoid of microfiches and being fullytransparent; said microfiche panels and transparent panels alternatingalong the full length of said strip;

means, separating said panels, defining a line of reduced bendingresistance having a thickness at most equal that of the panels so thatone panel may be folded over one of its two adjacent panels by bendingin either direction, to lie in face-to-face contact throughout theirareas, and said entire strip may be folded accordion fashion, whereby,in use, the panel displaying the microfiche to be viewed may be foldedover one of its two adjacent panels and inserted between saidtransparent plates of said viewing machine, the hinges of said platesacting as an insertion guide for said panels.

2. A binding as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip is a photographicfilm having photographic emulsion thereon, at least on said alternateones of said panels, said emulsion defining said microfiches.

3. A binding as recited in claim 2, wherein the photographic emulsion ofeach alternate panel is on the inner side of the binding.

4. A binding as recited in claim 1 wherein'said means separating saidpanels comprises a material having greater flexibility than the materialof said panels.

5. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the stripis reduced along a line between each adjacent zone.

6. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said alternatepanels consists of a pocket made of two superposed transparent sheetsadapted to receive a microfiche therebetween.

7. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein the strip is constituted bytwo superposed transparent sheets, the said sheets being sealed to oneanother between the said panels and, being adapted to receive amicrofiche between the two sheets.

8. A binding as recited in claim I, wherein the two terminal edges ofthe strip are fixed together to define a connecting band having apredetermined width, the said width corresponding to the total thicknessof the folded zones.

9. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein a grid is of the strip isconnected to one edge of a book cover. displayed in the transparentpanel of the strip adjacent each alternate panel, the pattern of thegrid corre- 13. A binding as recited in claim 1, including book spondingto the array of the images on the microfiche covers, wherein both endsof the said strip are respecof the alternate panel. tively connected toboth outer edges of the said covers.

10. A binding as recited in claim 9, wherein each portion of the gridcarries an identification so as to locate 14. A binding as recited inclaim 13, wherein a panel a predetermined portion of a microfiche.adjacent one of said covers carries identifications.

11. A binding as recited in claim 9, wherein the grid 15. A binding asrecited in claim 1, wherein each of carries marginal inscriptions so asto identify each por- 10 said alternate panels displays a microficheadhesively tion of the grid. fixed thereto.

12. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein one end

1. A binding for microfiches or the like for use in a viewing machinehaving a pair of transparent plates, a light source on one side of saidplates and an optical system on the other side for enlarging andprojecting said microfiches, said plates being hinged to one anotheralong adjacent edges whereby to be angularly moved apart for theinsertion of microfiches of said binding and then folded one over theother with said microfiches between said plates, said bindingcomprising: an elongated strip of transparent material dividedlongitudinally into a succession of rectangular panels of even thicknessand of equal length and width, each panel extending fully across saidstrip; alternate ones of said panels of said strip displaying at leastone microfiche and the others being devoid of microfiches and beingfully transparent; said microfiche panels and transparent panelsalternating along the full length of said strip; means, separating saidpanels, defining a line of reduced bending resistance having a thicknessat most equal that of the panels so that one panel may be folded overone of its two adjacent panels by bending in either direction, to lie infaceto-face contact throughout their areas, and said entire strip may befolded accordion fashion, whereby, in use, the panel displaying themicrofiche to be viewed may be folded over one of its two adjacentpanels and inserted between said transparent plates of said viewingmachine, the hinges of said plates acting as an insertion guide for saidpanels.
 2. A binding as recited in claim 1 wherein said strip is aphotographic film having photographic emulsion thereon, at least on saidalternate ones of said panels, said emulsion defining said microfiches.3. A binding as recited in claim 2, wherein the photographic emulsion ofeach alternate panel is on the inner side of the binding.
 4. A bindingas recited in claim 1 wherein said means separating said panelscomprises a material having greater flexibility than the material ofsaid panels.
 5. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein the thicknessof the strip is reduced along a line between each adjacent zone.
 6. Abinding as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said alternate panelsconsists of a pocket made of two superposed transparent sheets adaptedto receive a microfiche therebetween.
 7. A binding as recited in claim1, wherein the strip is constituted by two superposed transparentsheets, the said sheets being sealed to one another between the saidpanels and, being adapted to receive a microfiche between the twosheets.
 8. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein the two terminaledges of the strip are fixed together to define a connecting band havinga predetermined width, the said width corresponding to the totalthickness of the folded zones.
 9. A binding as recited in claim 1,wherein a grid is displayed in the transparent panel of the stripadjacent each alternate panel, the pattern of the grid corresponding tothe array of the images on the microfiche of the alternate panel.
 10. Abinding as recited in claim 9, wherein each portion of the grid carriesan identification so as to locate a predetermined portion of amicrofiche.
 11. A binding as recited in claim 9, wherein the gridcarries marginal inscriptions so as to identify each portion of thegrid.
 12. A binding as recited in claim 1, wherein one end of the stripis connected to one edge of a book cover.
 13. A binding as recited inclaim 1, including book covers, wherein both ends of the said strip arerespectively connected to both outer edges of the said covers.
 14. Abinding as recited in claim 13, wherein a panel adjacent one of saidcovers carries identifications.
 15. A binding as recited in claim 1,wherein each of said alternate panels displays a microfiche adhesivelyfixed thereto.